PATRICK REED THE MASTERS TOURNAMENT

WINNING SCORE: 15-under-par, 273. DEFEATED: Rickie Fowler by one shot, with Jordan Spieth a further stroke back. DEFINING MOMENTS: Having started the final day at 14-under, with a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, Reed made a nervy bogey at the 1st before getting the shot back at the short par-4 3rd. The American then played the remaining holes on the opening nine in steady fashion turning in even par, while Spieth added five birdies over the same holes after starting Sunday nine shots in arrears of Reed.

McIlroy’s challenge never truly eventuated, while Spieth continued to heap the pressure on by adding even more birdies to his card through Amen Corner. The 27-year-old Reed responded with birdies of his own at 12 and 14, as well as a crucial par save at the par-5 13th hole, where his ball somehow stayed dry, to reach 15-under.

Spieth reached the 18th hole with a 62 in the offing if he was able to secure a birdie at the par-4. But the course record wasn’t to be, after a badly pulled drive resulted in a bogey and a round of 64, which would prove two shots too many.

Fowler threw one last challenge at Reed with his own birdie at the 72nd hole to reach 14-under. But the Texan-based Reed held his nerve, two-putting from above the hole at the last for a one-under final round and victory. WITH THIS VICTORY… :

• Reed earns his first major title in his 17th start in golf’s big four events and broke a nearly 20-month win drought on the PGA Tour with his sixth victory.

• The American becomes the 10th first-time major winner from the previous 13 events – and makes it four majors in a row for American players aged 27 and under since Brooks Koepka’s win at the 2017 US Open.

• The 27-year-old rises to 11th in the world rankings and goes to the top of the US Ryder Cup rankings.

“I JUST KIND OF WENT OUT THERE AND JUST TRIED TO PLAY GOLF THE BEST I COULD AND TRIED TO STAY IN THE MOMENT AND NOT WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.” – PATRICK REED